Episode Summary
Executive Summary: The episode spans practical Apple ecosystem tips, a long critique of Apple potentially funding exclusive podcasts, and a recurring thread of annoyance with Dropbox’s expanding ambitions. They also cover storage choices, teaching computer science, stickers, headphone preferences, and a lighter closing discussion about swimming and ocean safety.
Main Topics: Apple’s potential move into funded/exclusive podcasts: The hosts debate whether Apple funding podcasts would meaningfully harm or help the ecosystem. They see a defensive rationale against Spotify/Luminary, but worry Apple’s scale and services incentives could shift its long-standing neutral role. Battery optimization in iOS 13: They explain Apple’s charging optimization feature that learns your schedule and delays charging until near wake-up, reducing time spent at 100% charge and potentially extending battery health. Photos library storage on APFS vs sparse disk images: Marco revisits his Photos quota workaround and accepts a better method: use an APFS volume with a quota instead of a sparse bundle disk image for better safety, reliability, and native filesystem protections. Dropbox’s worsening product behavior and trust issues: They criticize Dropbox for intrusive prompts, suspicious permission behavior, and feature creep toward enterprise-suite territory, arguing it no longer feels trustworthy or focused as a simple sync tool. Storage, device size, and headphone tradeoffs: The hosts compare iPhone SE vs XS size/weight, discuss 256GB phone storage usage, and revisit headphone choices, with Marco favoring AfterShokz Trex Air for summer over Beats Pro. What languages should be taught in computer science classes: They recommend Swift first, with JavaScript and Python as secondary options depending on whether the goal is practical motivation, app-building, or teaching fundamentals without language-specific warts. Swim lessons, ocean safety, and learning to play in the surf: The closing discussion covers Marco’s progress learning to swim, the importance of not rushing into rough surf, and the difference between exercise swimming and playing safely in waves.
Key Arguments: Apple-funded podcast exclusives are more likely to be defensive originals than a broad ecosystem threat, because most shows would lose too much audience by going exclusive. Even if Apple’s podcast ambitions remain limited, the company’s shift toward services creates incentives that may conflict with its historically benevolent approach to podcasting. iOS 13’s charging optimization is a sensible default because it helps preserve battery life without forcing users to micromanage charging habits. APFS quota volumes are superior to sparse bundle disk images for Photos library storage because they preserve native filesystem guarantees and avoid the extra buffering layer. Dropbox is drifting from a simple sync utility into an enterprise-style platform, adding complexity and annoying users while losing trust. For introductory CS, the best language is one that minimizes incidental complexity and keeps students motivated; Swift works well, especially for Apple-device users. Swimming should be taught in stages: learn to survive and orient in water before trying to play in surf or body surf.
Data Points: Relay FM live event date: Thursday, August 22 - Mentioned while promoting the Relay FM fifth anniversary extravaganza in San Francisco Relay FM live event ticket price: $29 - Tickets for the Relay FM live show were confirmed at this price Apple Podcasts market share: about 60% - Used to explain why Apple’s moves matter far more than Spotify’s in podcasting Spotify podcast player market share: about 10% - Compared against Apple to show the market concentration Lower-tier podcast player share: 2%-3% - Described the rapid drop-off after Apple and Spotify Initial quota examples for Photos library: 30GB or 50GB - Marco’s example sizes for a sparse bundle / APFS quota Apple Arcade model: paid subscription with games funded by Apple - Referenced as a comparison for how Apple could shape an ecosystem by paying creators Squarespace contractor quote: $40,000 - A real-world example of the cost to modernize a local organization’s old website Phone storage usage (Marco): about 76GB of 256GB - Current iPhone storage usage on his 256GB phone Phone storage usage (John): 96.6GB of 256GB - Current iPhone storage usage on his 256GB phone Phone storage usage (another host): 80.5GB of 256GB - Storage usage mentioned during the phone storage discussion Overcast size on one phone: 12GB - Podcast app storage as part of overall storage usage Music stored locally: 20GB - One host’s local music storage on phone Photos stored locally: 10GB - One host’s local photo storage on phone
Pivotal Quotes: "the phone exists to serve you, you don't exist to serve the phone." — John: Explaining why battery management should be practical rather than obsessive "It would be great if there was something when you plug it in that threw something up in your face and said, just so you know, I know you just plugged me in, but I'm not actually going to charge because I think you're about to go to sleep." — John: Suggesting better UI for iOS charging optimization "What Dropbox has shown me is that I shouldn't trust it anymore." — Marco: Describing loss of confidence in Dropbox due to intrusive and questionable behavior
Implications: Listeners may be more willing to try APFS quotas, iOS charging optimization, and alternative headphone/storage setups, while staying cautious about Dropbox and skeptical of Apple’s role in podcast exclusives. The industry takeaway: platform stewardship matters, but so do incentives.